Author: joansjottingscom

What a fun time I’ve had, it’s been a full week of activities.

Now it’s time for the return journey. Exmouth was great. The whole town expected us and made us feel welcome. Even the service station was doing driveway service and tyre checking. So with a full tank, clean windscreen and tyre check we are OK for travel.

SITMEX has come to an end, what a week it has been. I’m so pleased and privileged to have experienced and been a part of this amazing gathering of inspirational solo women who are getting on with life the best way they can. Life is full of personal challenges. This is a week I shan’t forget. New faces and friendships, ideas for future travels, practical skills with the knowledge and confidence to plan and have more adventures.

By contrast and in the same day we came to places like Quobba Blowholes. The coastline is rugged and the surf was wild so several Blowholes were active.

The idea is to free camp where possible for a few nights and book in to CP every few days. The solar setup gives me 3 to 4 days comfortably. But for hot showers and laundry facilities it’s worth using caravan parks. So far we have stopped on a road side rest area twice. On both occasions just south of Milinya RH and Billabong RH with last night in a lovely CP at Kalbarri opposite the beach. We have meet up with and stayed with other Rollers on their southern journey back home. Last night Margie B joined us for a pub meal and provided us with some local knowledge to explore the southern regions on this big state.

I must say that we had a delicious meal of fresh local Whiting across the street from the beach as the sun was setting, beautiful. A couple came over to our table and asked if we were Rollers. They had been in Exmouth at the same time and said that the town was a buzz at our arrival. They were amazed at how far we had travelled.

We had lunch the day before in Carnarvon and ordered fish and chips thinking that it would be local fish, only to be told that it came from NZ

Today we head down to the coast and are booked in at Jurien Bay CP for 2 nights. Lots to see on the way.

The last three days of the Tagalong were full of contrasts. From the beautiful resort but windy conditions experienced at Monkey Mia to free camping on the sandy river bed at Wooramel Station. They arranged an entertainer for that evening for a sing a long while they cooked damper for supper. Loved spending time in the warm artesian pools.

Next day we had a long drive to Bullara Station, also a working cattle property. Very different from the previous property. They put on a meal for us on the second night.

We left on the Friday morning for an easy 100ks into Exmouth, the end of our tagalong journey. Just over 6000ks.

A total of 263 members have gathered here for the week. The whole town is aware and were expecting the invasion. Good for their economy as we  have extended it an extra week being on the tail end of the tourist season.

With the Nullabour behind us, and now the wheat belt country of WA we have finally reached the west coast at Geraldton.

As we thought, the best of the wildflower season has passed but still there are wildflowers to see. Patches of colour along the roadsides.

I enjoyed our 2 day stop in Hyden, known for Wave Rock and the Hippos Yawn.

From the wheat belt we headed towards the west coast to Geraldton. I was surprised at how big Geraldton is with it’s new and growing suburbs. The waterfront area is impressive. We stayed just north of Geraldton at Drummond Cove.

From Geraldton we continued up the Coral Coast through Kalbarri National Park to Monkey Mia where we are staying at the resort. Very high wind area, almost making it unpleasant. I feel for those in tents tonight.

Lovely full moon. Tomorrow I shall explore. Hope to see some dolphins.

Travelling through the Eyre Peninsula we had a 2 night stop at Streaky Bay CP, very civilized. It was the first time Flo had been on 240v power since I left home. Our group has more than doubled with 23 women and vehicles.

From Streaky Bay we drove across the Nullabour plain on the Eyre Highway. The countryside varied from sparse treeless plains to dense tree coverage. The coastal lookout/vantage points gave some spectacular views of the rugged coastline of the bite. Even some late whales could be seen in the protected bays they use for nurseries at this time of year. We drove through some patchy light and heavy rain on Sunday till lunch time. It cleaned the windscreen nicely and took off all the dust and dirt.

I’m enjoying the free camps we stay at, they show the bush in all its glory. Sunrise and sunset are amazing.

Some of us took the challenge of playing the famous Nullabour golf course starting at Ceduna and finishing at Kalgoorlie where we are tonight. So with one of Chris’s trusty 5 irons and an assortment of golf balls I managed to complete most of the holes. There were 3 in my group and our scores were not something I’d boast about but we had a lot of fun and I retained the original golf ball I started with.

Tomorrow we are travelling to wave rock at Hyden where we stay at a CP on a powered site for 2 nights. That will be catchup time, laundry and cleanup.

After a week on the road I’m getting into the routine of things. Six other women and their assorted vehicles are beginning to grow in number as we travel further into the trip. Tonight we are free camping at Kimba in the Recreation Reserve that has decent toilet and shower facilities. Kimba is exactly half way across Australia. Also know for it’s solo art that really is magnificent. This alone has increased tourism and boosted the towns economy.

The next overnight stop was Wilcannia on the Darling River. The countryside is extremely parched, even the saltbush is struggling. One of the girls had organised for a local couple to come and tell us about the towns history and current issues. Two facts supprised me, firstly the strong Irish connection due to many Irish settlers who came in the boom time of the river trade. Secondly that Wilcannia was a thriving Port for steamers to transport wool and supplies along the Darling. The other important ports were Morpeth in the Hunter and Swan Hill in Victoria.

They both feel positive about the future and the community is pulling together to support itself through hard times.

At Broken Hill we spent 2 nights at the Racecourse Camping grounds. I was trackside and enjoyed the trotters doing their practise/training laps around the course, Some would wave or yell out hello as they passed by.

It was good to have a catchup day. Everyone is adjusting to the pace. As a group we are getting on well and having lots of laughs. Early nights and up early are becoming the norm.

From there we traveled into SA and had an overnight stop in Peterborough a free camp at their Recreational RV Park.

On our way here today we had one of the local Rollers book us a table at the Arid lands Cafe in the Botanical gardens in Port Augusta where she joined us. The gardens are well worth a stop.

Looking forward to another early night. Flo is travelling like a champ.

The first big challenge was to actually get away, which I did albeit an hour and a half later than I intended. I managed to successfully negotiate Mt Keira road without any spillages or things coming adrift so my confidence levels increased as we got underway.

I arrived at Ponto Falls at 4pm. So it was a long days travel. Seven of us are camped along the river bank. We made our teas, chatted and have all retired for the evening.

I was pleased that I had prepared corned beef and veges before I left and it continued to cook on the way in the Wonder Box I had made, It sat on the passenger seat all the way.

I won’t be at our usual Tuesday lunch tomorrow so enjoy your lunch and excellent company.

I can’t believe it’s finally happening, Flo and I leave tomorrow week!

Lots to do before I go. Packing to complete, house to secure, dog sitter arranged.

Paul drove the trailer over to his house where it could be opened, unpacked and aired.

I enjoyed the afternoon gathering of friends at the Driscoll’s yesterday. Their house has been the venue for many such memorable gatherings and yes, the bubbles flowed. It was lovely to catch-up with some of our friends I don’t get to see as often now. They are interested and will be following my travels.

The thought of traveling on my own is rather daunting, but also very exciting. I certainly won’t be on my own. So much to do…..

Balmy weather, garden coming back to life after recent rain.

Also making progress with Chris’s Estate at long last. I can start to get my affairs in order now.

The Crematorium notified me yesterday that Chris’s plaque has arrived and is ready so I can arrange a time to officially place his ashes in the Rose garden next to Mr Lincoln (a favorite). I have a place next to Chris reserved for me as well for future planning.

Chris’s anniversary has come and gone. It’s been a time of mixed feelings and a period of time I don’t want to experience again nor at the same time forget. Family and friends support have helped enormously to cope/adjust with the huge impact the loss of Chris has been in my life.